Investigator
Travis County
Posted: February 18, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Department of Justice
Location
Plano, Texas
Salary
$61,722 - $105,547
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Other jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $51,332 - $66,732
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-8. Master's degree or 2 years graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves supporting investigations into civil cases for the U.S.
Department of Justice, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with law enforcement to build cases for prosecution.
A good fit would be someone with a background in criminal justice or law who enjoys detail-oriented work, teamwork with agencies, and contributing to legal proceedings.
It's an entry-to-mid level role in Plano, Texas, ideal for those with relevant experience or graduate education.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/ As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-TXE-12878927-DE.
GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level; or education or a combination of both specialized experience and education as explained below.
Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: Assist in routine investigations and/or financial examinations relating to civil actions.
Participate in investigative activities with Federal, State and local law enforcement officials. Conducts surveillance to find/obtain appropriate evidence for prosecution.
Knowledge of relevant state, local and/or federal laws or regulations, using automated systems for secure storage, preservation, organization, and indexing of voluminous documentary evidence; conduct interviews of witnesses; contribute to reports on the progress of investigations for use by attorneys; creation of charts, graphs, videotapes, and other audio-visual materials for use in motions and trials.
Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice) a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as a J.D.
or LL.B.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 1 full year.
GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level; or education or a combination of both specialized experience and education as explained below.
Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: Conducts investigations relating to civil actions.
Participate in investigative activities with Federal, State and local law enforcement officials; assist in conventional investigations and financial investigations based on cases or broad legal issues; make sound decisions on direction and scope of investigations; determine proof required to assist in affixing legal responsibility for litigation; devise methods for obtaining, preserving and presenting evidence; determine applicable administrative, statutory and regulatory law and identifying possible violations; decide the most effective methods for planning, scheduling and conducting investigations; engages in liaison and team-building efforts with other law enforcement agencies; Ensures investigative reports comply with all applicable policies and adhere to regulatory guidance for findings, referrals and closure; testifies in court.
Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice) a Ph.D.
(or LL.M) or equivalent doctorate degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.
You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.
You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Major Duties:
If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for planning and conducting investigations and/or financial examinations relating to civil actions and to participate in investigative activities with Federal, State, and local officials.
Typical work assignments will include, but are not limited to: Working with attorneys to determine applicable administrative statutory and regulatory law and identify possible violations or causes of action.
Identifying the need for service of warrants and subpoenas and secures participation of other law enforcement agencies in execution of same.
Participating in investigative activities with Federal, State and local officials.
Compiling documents and physical evidence, and creation of charts, graphs, videotapes, and other audio-visual materials for use in motions and at trial.
Develop an understanding of all applicable federal, state, or local laws to the extent necessary to make sound decisions on the direction and scope of investigations.
Ensure reports comply with all applicable policies and adhere to regulatory guidelines for findings, referrals and closure.
Conduct searches of files, records and regulatory processes to find or obtain appropriate evidence for prosecution.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
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